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TOKYO, Japan – Japanese convenience store giant, 7-Eleven, is brewing up a new era for coffee. In a joint development with UCC Ueshima Coffee, the company is set to launch its “7CAFÉ Hydrogen Roasted Coffee” sequentially across its stores in Japan starting October 28, 2025. This coffee is made using an innovative “hydrogen roasting” technique, a world-first in successful mass production.
Its most defining feature is the high-level balance it strikes between great taste and sustainability. Combining a clean, crisp flavor with eco-friendly credentials, this is truly a cup worthy of being called the “coffee of the future.”
“Hydrogen Roasted Coffee”: A Clean and Satisfying Flavor with No Impurities
The new “7CAFÉ Hydrogen Roasted Coffee” will be available at 7-Eleven stores nationwide for the affordable price of ¥149 per cup (¥160.92 including tax = $1). It offers a distinctively new flavor profile that sets it apart from previous 7CAFÉ offerings. The hydrogen roasting technology enables the beans to be roasted slowly at a lower temperature.
This process maximizes the coffee beans’ inherent potential, resulting in a taste that is clean and clear yet boasts a solid, satisfying body. Furthermore, it features a fruity and mild acidity, making it an approachable choice for those who don’t drink coffee often or are not fond of strong bitterness. Its clear palate makes it perfect not only as a morning pick-me-up but also as a drink to accompany meals without overpowering the food’s flavor.
A World First: The Innovative “Hydrogen Roasting” Technology
The secret to this coffee’s deliciousness lies in the patented “hydrogen roasting” technology developed by UCC Ueshima Coffee. While conventional roasting primarily uses natural gas as a heat source, using hydrogen allows for a much wider range of temperature control. In particular, it enables a slow and steady roast at a stable low temperature, ensuring the beans are heated evenly to their core. This is the key to suppressing unwanted off-flavors and burnt bitterness, while drawing out the beans’ natural sweetness and fruity aroma. It’s a significant milestone that this cutting-edge technology, the first of its kind to be mass-produced by UCC, can be experienced at an affordable price at a familiar place like 7-Eleven.
An Eco-Friendly Choice, Starting with a Single Cup of Coffee
Another crucial aspect of the “Hydrogen Roasted Coffee” is its outstanding environmental performance. Hydrogen is a clean energy source that produces no carbon dioxide (CO2) when burned. Therefore, the roasting process for this coffee has zero CO2 emissions. By simply switching your daily coffee to the “Hydrogen Roasted Coffee,” you can effortlessly contribute to environmental conservation. According to estimates, drinking two cups of this coffee per day is said to have the CO2 reduction equivalent of planting one tree per year. This cup offers a new value proposition: making a choice not just for taste, but also “for the planet.”
